IT'S hard to know where Liverpool will turn for goals with the current striking crisis the club has on its hands.

If Fernando Morientes (left) does make a lightning-quick comeback it will be a massive boost against Bolton on Saturday. But as it stands, we may well not have a recognised front man to play against Wanderers.

So the key to victory now and over the next few weeks may well come from long range. Without a fit goal poacher to get us the tap-ins, the message to the players from Rafael Benitez should be to shoot on sight.

That always puts goalkeepers in two minds - they never know when someone will suddenly let fly or when they will instead try and find the killer through ball for a team-mate.

Steven Gerrard is obviously one player who does have a go whenever he can and he's hit some fantastic goals this season. John Arne Riise is another one who can strike from distance.

We also saw in the derby, with Morientes' long range effort followed up by Garcia, what can happen when a player is prepared to have a go from well outside the box.

I hope on Saturday a few other players will try their luck more often. With this modern, light ball, it can often pay off and it may well be our best hope of victory in a match which, with Bolton breathing down our necks, is even more important than the derby.

Not only will a win on Saturday hopefully close the gap further on Everton, it will also put Bolton further behind us.

Every game is a cup final now and the more we can let fly at the opposition keepers, the better.

Sami up there with best >>>>

Sami up there with best>

IT'S been a bit surprising to see Sami Hyypia sidelined recently.

Mauricio Pellegrino did okay when he was out with flu against Blackburn but there were a few eyebrows raised when big Sami sat out the derby.

Pellegrino again did very well in that game and showed he has started to adjust to the frantic pace. He is not looking for time on the ball and can probably feel he has deserved his chance. So good luck to him.

But I rate Hyypia as one of the best central defenders in the game.

He's done so much for the Liverpool cause over recent seasons and I've got no doubt he'll be back soon.

Soccer Aid a success>

LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry was bang on with his tribute to the Reds fans for turning up in such numbers to see the club's legends playing the celebrities in the tsunami game.

I honestly believe he was right when he said you'd never get 40,000 people into a game like that on an Easter weekend had it been played anywhere other than here on Merseyside.

It was a great occasion all round and raised an enormous amount for a fantastic cause. A huge pat on the back should go to Jason McAteer and his people for organising it all. They did it brilliantly.

Seeing the ex-players out there brought back some great memories for the fans who paid their money - as did seeing Ian Rush smash in a great goal at the Anfield Road end.